Blackpool v Bristol City: Live match updates from Bloomfield Road

CJ Hamilton does excellently to take the ball from back to front before pulling the ball back to Jerry Yates, who lays it off to Josh Bowler who is denied by keeper Max O’Leary.

Almost the perfect start for the Seasiders.

The visitors get the game underway.

Up the mighty Pool!

Marvin Ekpiteta has not been named in Blackpool's 18-man squad for today's home game against Bristol City.

The reason for the captain’s absence is not clear, but during the week head coach Neil Critchley did suggest there were some “bumps and bruises” among his squad following last week’s draw against Fulham.

It’s the first league game Ekpiteta has not been involved in since mid-August.

Ekpiteta’s absence means Jordan Thorniley keeps his place in the side, although the Seasiders have reverted back to a back four having lined up in a 5-4-1 system at Craven Cottage last time out.

It’s understood Richard Keogh will captain the side with Ekpiteta and Chris Maxwell both out.

Jerry Yates and Gary Madine, meanwhile, come into the starting line-up, as Shayne Lavery makes way and drops to the bench.

Kevin Stewart misses out having only just returned from international duty with Jamaica on Friday afternoon.

Reece James is also not risked, despite recovering from a lengthy spell on the sidelines as a result of a hamstring injury, which means Dujon Sterling continues to fill in at left-back.

Chris Maxwell (quad), Luke Garbutt (knee), James Husband (hamstring), Matty Virtue (ACL), Grant Ward (achilles), Sonny Carey (metatarsal) and Keshi Anderson (hamstring) also remain sidelined.

Bristol City, meanwhile, have named an unchanged side from their last outing, which was the 2-2 draw to Preston North End.

The Robins begin the day directly behind Blackpool in the league table, three points adrift having played a game more.

Neil Critchley lined up in a 5-4-1 system last week to counteract the strengths of league leaders Fulham, but you’d imagine they’ll revert to a back four today.

While Reece James is back in training following his recovery from a hamstring injury, there’s no need to rush him straight back into the side given how well Dujon Sterling has covered on the left.

The rest of the back four seems pretty straight-forward, with Marvin Ekpiteta partnering Richard Keogh in the centre with Jordan Gabriel lining up at right-back.

In central midfield, Callum Connolly is likely to keep his spot in the side alongside Kenny Dougall following a strong display at Fulham last week, although Ethan Robson and the returning Kevin Stewart are other options.

One would imagine Josh Bowler and CJ Hamilton will keep their place on the wings, while Gary Madine should come back into the fold to partner either Shanye Lavery or Jerry Yates in attack.

There’s the usual caveat with Neil Critchley though that he likes to add in the odd curveball, so don’t be surprised if Blackpool’s team isn’t quite as straight-forward as that. He did also mention a few “bumps and bruises” from the Fulham game as well, so a lot depends on the fitness of his players.